Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie has urged the industry to rally in the wake of anti-racing campaigners stepping up their campaign during the spring carnival as animal welfare issues are again thrust into the spotlight.

Moodie has written an open letter to the tens of thousands of Victorian owners outlining the advancements in welfare initiatives as stewards crack down on jockeys who defy whip rules in feature races.

Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie has defended the sport's welfare record in the letter as campaigners plan to roll out television commercials during Australian racing's most important week. Photo: Vince Caligiuri

Racegoers were left stunned when Kasiano Lad collapsed on the track and was euthanised just metres from the finishing post at Randwick on Saturday, fuelling another outcry from activists. Racing NSW stewards will await a necropsy report, which they hope to have by next weekend, before resuming an inquiry.

But Moodie has defended the sport's welfare record in the letter as campaigners plan to roll out television commercials during Australian racing's most important week, which was soured last year with the death of two horses after the Melbourne Cup.

"Our facts show we're a fairly safe sport," Moodie said. "At some point you've got to stand up and be counted and the people in our industry love their horses. It's horrible when something like Saturday at Randwick happens because everyone feels it and feels for the trainer and owners because we all know what that would mean if it was ours."

Moodie's letter outlined the off-the-track initiatives for retired racehorses undertaken by Racing Victoria, including the re-homing and re-training schemes for lives in the equestrian and pleasure industry on top of breeding pursuits.

Advertisement

He claimed more than 90 per cent of ex-racehorses follow one of these paths, a claim at odds with the "misinformation" of the anti-racing campaigners.

The use of the whip in races is again a hot topic after Cox Plate-winning rider Hugh Bowman racked up $2300 worth of fines for whip breaches in two races at Moonee Valley on Saturday before Winx's stunning win.

You will now receive updates fromSport Newsletter

Sport Newsletter

Racing Victoria's chief steward Terry Bailey has warned suspensions are a very real possibility for riders falling foul of the rule during the Flemington carnival.

Racing Australia chief executive Peter McGauran will write to the state-based jockeys' associations this week outlining a new and far more stringent policy on penalties for those who flout new whip laws, which come into effect on December 1.

Riders are expected to be scrutinised more closely and will be limited to using the whip five times, in either a forehand or backhand manner, before the 100-metre mark.

Racing Australia will give stewards discretion to apply harsher penalties as they see fit, including a mandate to completely wipe out a jockey's riding percentage if it is warranted. At present, stewards have the ability fine a rider up to $100,000 for excessive whip use.

"We've reassured the jockeys' association the stewards have discretion ... there is no template and common sense will be adopted," McGauran said. "In light of community expectations and the board's directive, penalties for flagrant and deliberate breaches - especially repetitively - will be harsher."

Added Bailey: "What we've done here in Victoria [is] put the riders on notice before the autumn carnival [earlier this year] and if there is a gross breach of the rules in black-type races like Zac Purton in the Caulfield Cup [when winning on Admire Rakti] last year then suspensions are on the table."

Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy conceded that jockeys will be given some grace period from December 1, but the spotlight will be harsh in major feature races next year.

"When it comes in for the first month we expect - as in 2008 when there was major reform - there is going to be a wearing-in period," Murrihy said. "It is not our intention to be jumping on jockeys who are having a bit of trouble adjusting, but we certainly won't be tolerating people throwing caution to the wind with the whip in big races. The penalties will be substantial.

"If there is a suspension or a loss of prize money ... they're the sort of deterrents that have got to be available to stewards."